Wan Chai is the cradle of Hong Kong's animation and comics (ani-com) industry and home of Hong Kong's first art community featuring ani-com - Comix Home Base. This autumn, Comixtream in the City - Wan Chai transforms the district's public spaces into exciting ani-com hubs. Seven local veteran and upcoming ani-com artists collaborate to bring comics art to four distinctive locations, forming a comics collection that celebrates Wan Chai's past, present and imagines its future.

Sharing a passion for music

Sharing a passion for music

This week's artist is Chin Kei-yu from Our Lady of the Rosary College, who talks about music.

The piano has been a good friend of mine since I was six. When I first started learning it, I used to sing along and it was so much fun. I swung my body as if I was in a recital.

I remember when I was about eight years old, I skipped from grade two to grade five in piano. That was really a hard time. I didn't practise well and my teacher kept shouting at me when I was playing. What's more, I had to do an hour of musical theory after practice.

Now, when I look back, it was really too much for an eight-year-old. I can still vividly picture myself playing the piano and rubbing my eyes.

I was so sad after every piano lesson and I thought, 'I can't do this, maybe it'll be better for me to quit'. I didn't and now I have no regrets. But if it wasn't for my mum and piano teacher, I would not have come this far. They have encouraged and supported me all along.

The training involved in playing music gives you determination to attain goals in life. It's more than learning a new instrument or new skills. It is a lifelong lesson and a magical journey and the whole process is just like a piece of music. I had a lot of ups and downs in my musical journey.

The piano is like my best friend - I play it when I am bored, and I play it when I am happy or sad. Sometimes even a simple tune can cheer me up. Piano has also helped me make a lot of new friends. We do music together at school, we play duets and we share our joy through music.

When I was 13, I started learning the trombone and it was a very different musical instrument. At first, I found it really hard and wanted to give up.

But then I remembered I had had a similar feeling when learning the piano. If I can play the piano well, why not the trombone? So, I plucked up the courage and started playing it. Although I have only been learning for a short period of time, I already like it a lot.

My music teacher at school has also given me a lot opportunities, support and suggestions for organising music activities. I am taking part in a programme with my friends - we teach primary school students percussion and folk songs. It is so much fun sharing your joy with others through music.

The Arts Ambassadors-in-School Scheme is organised by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. It encourages students to take their passion for the arts beyond the campus and into the wider community. The ambassadors will take part in a series of arts programmes during the school holidays.